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Hagerstown Area Religious Council

The Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) is a coalition of churches and houses of faith in the Hagerstown area of Washington County.

HARC Executive Director

HARC learns about needs of children, how faith community can help

HARC’s October 2021 meeting focused on the current needs of children and families in Washington County. We were blessed to have a panel of leaders from organizations that work with children speak to us about challenges that children and families are facing, their greatest needs, community resources and programming that’s available, and how the faith community can help fill the gaps in those services.  Link to the video recording on YouTube.

Our speakers included:

* Kathy Kerns, Director of the Washington County Judy Center
* Jen Younker, Director of Bester Community of Hope
* Tom Kline, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County
* Jessica Scott, Programs Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Washington County and Board Member/Acting Director for the Robert W. Johnson Community Center (filling in at the last minute)

Our speakers not only shared needs of our children and families, but a window into the world of families in poverty, encouraging us to greater empathy and understanding.

Our apologies for the poor sound quality as we had challenges with our microphone! You may need to turn up the volume at times, but it’s worth listening closely to what these dedicated professionals have to say. Lighting was also a challenge, so you may not see our speakers very well.

HARC Hike has great day, raises over $21,000

Saturday, September 11 was a glorious day for the HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope, with great weather, perfect conditions on the C&O Canal Towpath, and a good crowd nicely spaced among 6 different start times.  100 people came out to enjoy the day and a handful more did the Virtual Hike, raising funds and walking on their own time and location.  Thanks to participants, sponsors, and individuals who raised funds for the cause, more than $21,000 in proceeds are projected so far to support the ministry and programs of HARC, with a significant portion going to Micah’s Backpack.  This includes funds raised to date for the HARC Challenge Hike, a 20-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail that will take place Saturday, September 25.  13 participants are registered for this hike and many are still fundraising.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and helping to make this a fun event and successful fundraiser for HARC and Micah’s Backpack! Thanks especially to our amazing Hike Team (Rev. Ed Poling, Beth Johnston, Deacon Sue Wert, Ed Maloy, Butch Eigenbrode, Bill Pike, and Erin Brennan) and other volunteers who made it happen, and our generous sponsors (see below).  We are also grateful to churches who provided transportation for our hikers:  Christ’s Reformed Church, Celebration Ministries, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene, and Valley Grace Brethren.

Pictures from this year’s hike can be viewed on the HARC Hike Facebook page or in our Dropbox file.  Thanks to Chris Horsch for most of the pictures!

Thank you to this year’s HARC Hike sponsors:

MS Johnston & God’s Grace Fund sponsored  lunch, catered by Kreeative Kreations, a local, black and woman-owned business.

       

Antietam Radio Association
Brethren Mutual Insurance Company
Coldwell Banker Innovations
Hebron Mennonite Church
Hub Labels
Rotary Club of Hagerstown
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Trinity Lutheran Church

Allegany Dental Care
Bitner-Henry Insurance Agency
Weis Market

Video available from HARC meeting on addictions

Link to the recording on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/o55zGotp6o8

In September Washington County “goes purple” to raise awareness of the opioid/addictions epidemic and foster action to support those in crisis and prevent others from this terrible disease. At our September 14 HARC meeting, we heard from:

Clarence Horst, Celebration Ministries and Celebrate Recovery

Laura Sheffield-Bishop, Social Work Supervisor, Washington County Health Department & Kelly Marquart, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Washington County Health Department

This program focused on how the faith community can support people who are in recovery or struggling with addiction. We also learned current Washington County data and some helpful tips for how to handle the challenges of those in or around our houses of worship who are struggling with addiction and homelessness.

Save the Date!

November 22 at 4:00 pm. Join us for this uplifting service featuring Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, and Buddhist traditions.

Details